Jailbreak caught on camera
2006-06-06 21:42
East London - Closed-circuit TV has given prison authorities a clear idea of how two "dangerous" prisoners escaped after holding a warder hostage and stealing his keys.
The two were still on the loose on Tuesday night after their daring escape from the maximum-security Middeldrift Prison in the morning, said the Eastern Cape correctional services department.
"The two men are considered to be aggressive and dangerous and the public is warned not to confront them in any way," said spokesperson Lumphumzo Kebeni.
Pakamisa Myoli, 41, and Thanduxolo Jayiya, 32, who were both serving life terms for murder and other crimes escaped from the prison after holding a correctional officer hostage and taking the keys from him.
Cameras showed how it happened
Kebeni said it seemed it was a systematically planned escape.
"The closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitors indicated that the men had firearms beforehand.
"They held Vusumzi Deli hostage and managed to get hold of the keys that were hanging from him.
"They then opened their cells and proceeded through the prison gates to a getaway car."
The suspected owner of the red Toyota Corolla used by the two prisoners, and another car owner believed to be the wife of one of the prisoners, were being held for questioning.
Kebeni said: "It is suspected the firearms were smuggled in by correctional officers.
"If it is found the prisoners were helped by any of our staff, disciplinary procedures will be followed and those responsible will face the music."
Good success rate
He said CCTV footage was being viewed to determine how the incident unfolded.
"The department has introduced a comprehensive security-management system to curb or reduce prison escapes and this has been successful so far.
It is against the backdrop of this success that we will definitely not tolerate these acts that aim to tarnish our image," said Kebeni.
- SAPA